A serious controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh’s Tribal Welfare Department after a woman teacher from Salur levelled grave allegations of sexual harassment, financial exploitation, and intimidation against Madapu Satish, the Personal Assistant to Tribal Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani, and against the minister’s son Pridhvi. The allegations, surfacing alongside viral social-media screenshots, have triggered political tremors, forcing the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) to intervene.

According to the complainant, her husband died of Covid-19 in May 2021. Seeking employment under compassionate appointment, she alleged that Satish demanded money claiming that the Zilla Parishad Chairperson asked for the payment to process her appointment. Believing him, she paid ₹5-6 lakh through PhonePe and in cash. She was appointed as a teacher on December 15, 2021 in Salur.

However, she later learned that the ZP Chairperson had never sought money, and that Satish had taken the entire amount for himself. When she demanded a refund, Satish allegedly agreed to repay in installments and even wrote a note to that effect, but never returned the money. Instead, she alleged, he began to sexually harass her, sending vulgar messages and threatening to withhold repayment unless she fulfilled his demands.

In one instance, she claimed, Satish arrived at her residence in an inebriated condition and assaulted her. She said police refused to register her complaint due to his political influence. When she approached Minister Sandhya Rani directly, the minister allegedly offered no support and instead had her transferred to a remote tribal village, Kondapingu near Gummadi Lakshmipuram.

The woman then approached the court, which ordered her reinstatement in Salur. Following this, she alleged, Satish became aggressive and targeted those who supported her.

Meanwhile, she further accused the Minister's son, Pridhvi, of sending inappropriate messages and pressuring her to entertain him and his friends sexually. Screenshots circulating on social media show Pridhvi allegedly engaging in personal conversations with her, asking why she was wasting her life instead of enjoying it, and suggesting that many high-profile men were interested in her. The tone of the messages has drawn sharp criticism from women’s organisations.

Addressing a press conference in Vizianagaram, Satish denied all allegations, claiming the messages were fabricated and insisting he was not the minister’s PA in 2021. He termed the entire episode a conspiracy driven by the opposition to malign the minister.

In a major development, the Chief Minister’s Office issued firm instructions removing Satish from all responsibilities with immediate effect. The CMO declared that under no circumstances will Satish be allowed to continue in his position. Officials have been directed to register a police case against Satish, and a full-scale investigation has been ordered.

Significantly, the CMO has asked for an impartial probe on both sides, stating that if the woman’s allegations are proven false, action will also be taken against her as per law. The government has emphasised that the matter will be handled with seriousness, fairness, and transparency.

The unfolding scandal has ignited a political storm in Andhra Pradesh, raising sharp questions about accountability within the Tribal Welfare Department and the conduct of individuals close to the minister. With the CMO now directly involved, the case has entered a critical phase, and the outcomes of the investigation are likely to have far-reaching political implications.